Oban named head of visiting forces commission

General Eduardo Oban Jr. INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino has appointed retired Armed Forces Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban Jr. head of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, a Palace spokesperson announced Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Oban’s appointment as executive director of the  VFA Commission took effect on Feb. 19.

The 58-year-old Oban replaced retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, who resigned last month for still undisclosed reasons.

“The President saw that Undersecretary Oban is a strategic thinker,” said Valte, adding in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan that Aquino was confident about Oban’s skills.

“He will be no stranger to material or at least the issues being handled by the VFA Commission,” Valte said.

Asked about Adan’s sudden resignation, Valte replied, “No reason cited for Adan.”

Oban will retain his official rank as undersecretary, coterminus with the President, but this time under the office of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.

Oban was previously an undersecretary at the Department of Transportation and Communications and before that, chair of the Clark Development Authority Board.

With Oban’s new assignment, Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary Edwin R. Lopez was elevated to undersecretary at the DOTC.

Created by Executive Order No. 199, the VFA Commission is tasked with monitoring the compliance of both the Philippines and United States with the provisions of VFA “regarding the treatment of the US Armed Forces visiting the Philippines.”

On the same day, Aquino reappointed Mark T. Lapid chief operations officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza). The President also reappointed members of the Tieza Board: Lucas M. Nunag (representing the Accommodation Enterprises); Roberto U. Teo (Travel and Tours Enterprises); Maria Vida H. Stoifl (Air, Sea and Land Tourism Transport Services); Catherine Brillantes-Turvill (Other Tourism Enterprises); and Roy B. Martin (Tourism Estate Development and Management Service).

Their terms of office run from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014, said Valte.

Lorenzo C. Formoso was also reappointed chief operating officer of Duty Free Philippines Corp. under the Department of Tourism.

Three more undersecretaries were appointed by Aquino—Jesus M. Espinas (member, Board of Respiratory Therapy under the Professional Regulations Commission), Jose Emmanuel P. Reverente (Department of Finance) and Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba (Department of Trade and Industry).